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UNTED STATES PATENT GEORGE XV. HOVELL AND PERCY G. I-IOVELL, OFCOVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 619,254, dated February7, 1899.

Application nea october 22, 1897.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. HOWELL and PERCY G. HOWELL, residing atCovington, in the county of Kenton and State of Ken-V tucky, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Route-Indicators forStreet- Oars, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to provide a route-indicator forstreet-cars which is supported in a double glass case in a dust-proofhousing on the roof of a street-car inj uxtapostion to one or more ofthe roof-windows, so that the light of the car will illuminate the signby being transmitted through the same.

Our invention also relates to improved methods of construction of thedisplay-casing, which will be more fully set forth in the de scriptionof the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, inwhich- Figure l is a front elevation of our device, showing the archedform. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of our improvement attached to theroof of a car opposite the end window. Fig. 3 is an elevation of ourimprovement with one of the glasses removed. Fig. 4 is a centralvertical section on line as Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of thetop of one of the ends. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a section of theend of the bottom portion of the casing. Fig. 7 is a perspective view ofthe cap for inclosing the top of the casing.

In displaying route-signs on ordinary streetcars it is desirable to havethem inclosed in dust and Water proof casings and also that they shallbe readily removable to make the desired changes. It is also desirableto utilize the light within the car to illuminate the sign at night. Toaccomplish this result, we provide the following device:

The casing is formed with a fixed bottom and ends and aremovable topfitting the same. It is preferred to make the casing of metal, in whichA represents the base, and N represents the end pieces.

B represents flanges extending upward from the base, against the outerfaces of which the glass faces are supported. These flanges are formedof sheet metal bent into the shape shown in Fig. 6.

C represents recesses in which the ends of the glass are fitted, and D arecess or way between the exterior recesses for the reception Serial No.656,094. (No model.)

of the display-sign. These recesses in the end pieces are preferablyformed of sheet metal bent into shape, as shown in Fig. 5. The ends andbottom are rigidly secured together, and when made of metal bent intothis form it constitutes a sufficiently rigid frame to support the glassand sign without the necessity of bracing or providing crosssupports,Which would obscure the sign.

E represents the cap, which fits completely over the top of the casing,as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

F represents a support formed in the recessesD at the ends and top ofthe casing, on Which rest the supporting-rod G of the display-sign isheld.

Il represents the sign, preferably made of muslin or canvas or anysuitable material adapted to transmit light. This sign is secured to asupporting-rod G. As shown in Fig. 4, this is made of sheet metal bentand clamped around the top edge of the muslin. I represents a similarrod forthe bottom, the weight of which keeps the sign taut.

.l J represent panes of glass supported in the grooves C and resting onthe base A, as shown in Fig. 4.

L represents a spring-clamp attached to the base A and bent inward topress against the face of the glass, holding it against the side and endsupports. Itis sometimes desirable to provide a cushion against whichthe glass rests, as shown at M, Fig. 4. The cap E is made With dependingvertical sides, forming a top support for the glass.

As constructed it will be seen that the display device Within the casingcan be readily changed by removing the top and lifting out thedisplay-sign; also, that the casing can be readily attached to the roofof thecar. The muslin or canvas is painted or printed in the Ordinarymanner, as shown in Fig. 1, and forms a display device visible both dayand night from the inside as Well as the outside of the car, noilluminating devices being required,as the light from the car shinesthrough the double glass frame and sign supported therein, forming anindicator which is very legible day and night from the inside as Well asthe outside of the car.

An inferior modiiication of our device would be to make the base A withthe glass- IOO supports B and the end pieces of wood, the parts beingrabbeted and channeled to form the necessary grooves for the support ofthe glass and sign; but such form would not be as substantial as theform here shown.

Having described ourinvention, we claiml. A station-indicator consistingof a casing adapted to loe supported upon the roof of a car, said casingconsisting of the base-piece A, and end pieces N, the parts being formedand arranged to provide three separate guiderecesses O, O, and D, glasspanes supported within the recesses O, O, supports F, F, at the l upperopposite ends of the casing, a lightseparate guide-recesses, transparentpanes supported within the two outermost recesses, a light-transmittingsign removably suspendedin the central recess, and a detachable top forthe casing.

3. A station-indicator, consisting of a cas'- ing adapted to besupported upon the roof of a car, said casing consisting of thebase-piece A and end pieces N, the parts being formed and arranged toprovide three separate guiderecesses O, O and D, glass panes supportedwithin the recesses C, O, a series of springclamps L secured to eachside of the base and each having one end in contact with the outer faceof each pane, supports F, F, at the upper opposite ends of the casing, alight-transmitting sign suspended from said supports and hanging betweenthe panes, and a deL tachable cap or cover E for the casing,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Wehave hereunto set our hands.

GEORGE W. HOWELL. PEROY G. HOWELL. Witnesses W. R. WOOD,

OLIVER B. KA IsER.

